Blogs from Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, North America - page 2

Visited Countries Map It's not like I've never traveled...I've been to a fair amount of countries outside the United States. It is the face that I wont have my family there with me or another tour group that is starting to make me nervous. For the first time I will be "on my own" (except for the study abroad helpers, my host family, and others-- but who's counting them). The packing ugh, I never knew how hard it was to try to fint stuff into a bag and make it weigh less than 50 lbs. I mean I'm trying to carry enough stuff to last me through December, and this is an area that has hot and sunny days to cold and rainy days. I think I finally made it though with two suitcases both under ... read more

White Pine Trail Text and Photos last updated: 2018 Number of times we have biked this trail: about 8 times Basics: Length: 150 kilometres (93 miles) Surface: Paved and crushed stone Width: 3 metres (10 feet) but varies Trailhead: Grand Rapids to Cadillac Parking: at trailheads and towns (see below) Signage: at road crossings Bathrooms: Flush toilets at Belmont Station, Rockford Park and Reed City, Pit toilet at Russell Road, Big Rapids and more Water: None on the trail Benches: at various locations, including covered viewing areas Mileage markers: For the most part at every mile! We have biked many portions of this trail many times, but not the unpaved portions. In 2012 a 15 mile section from Cadillac to Leroy was paved. This is a very scenic area passi... read more

After a couple of hours devoted to figuring out what to do about a rental car, since we were having so many problems, we left the Allendale area around 11:30 a.m. EST in a 2009 Chevy HRR LT (bright red). We set out on our way to the next destination, Denver, with high hopes for good weather. We had sun through Michigan then hit the rain in Southern Illinois and Missouri. We hit rush hour in Kansas City, where it was 70 and humid, then eventually got out of the urban area and went onward through the rather dull state of Kansas. Things mellowed out and we began to get sleepy late in Kansas so we slid open the moon roof and blasted some music! Had a brief nap at the Colorado welcome center before continuing ... read more

Our trip is scheduled for Thursday, February 26. We are potentially leaving around 9 am EST and embarking on the journey west. Day 1 is anticipated a strictly a driving day to get to Denver, CO as soon as possible with a brief nap and tour once we get there. From there we'll spend the majority of Friday driving through the Rocky Mountains and hiking through Arches National Park. (If all goes as planned)... read more

So I finally have my visa after a lot of worrying, and while I have yet to start packing, I leave for Indy tomorrow morning, and then Tuesday morning I leave for Beijing. I am so excited and have been since the summer began, but I am just now getting a little sad to leave Grand Rapids, and a little anxious about the trip. Its going to be an adventure of a lifetime, I'm sure of it. Its a little nerve-wracking, especially going alone for the beginning, but thats partially what I am looking forward to. Unfortunately my Chinese is not that great, so its going to be hard. But if it was easy, I wouldn't want to do it! I'm such a masochist. :P So the plan, for those that haven't heard me say it ... read more